More than 100 businesses and other organisations have pledged to hold meetings and events in bushfire-affected regions

More than 100 businesses and well-known Aussies have come together to show their support for Victoria’s fire-ravaged regions by pledging to take their teams and networks to the towns. SEE THE LIST

Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to Jilly Brown and husband Mel after they lost their 120-year-old Sarsfeild home and accommodation. Picture: Jason Edwards

• This Herald Sun bushfire article is free to read for all. To support our newsroom and local journalism, subscribe to the Herald Sun here

More than 100 Victorian businesses, sporting organisations and other groups have united in an unprecedented drive to support bushfire-affected communities.

In a major program to be revealed today, chief executives have pledged to hold meetings, events and conferences in regional areas to boost areas hit by devastating fires.

Businesses and organisations including the AFL and all clubs, BHP, NAB, Crown, Australian Super, the Herald & Weekly Times and Tennis Australia will organise stays of at least two nights for events over the next six months and beyond.

The state government initiative has so far won solid support from 119 organisations, while individuals are also encouraged to spend money in areas affected by the bushfires crisis.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media during a press conference at the State Control Centre in Melbourne. Picture: AAP

Premier Daniel Andrews said the fires had caused devastation.

“With businesses taking a massive hit during what is normally their busiest time of the year, I encourage everyone to follow the lead of these organisations and visit and spend money in these bushfire-affected communities,” he said.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said: “The whole AFL industry is united in its support for Victorian communities that have been affected by bushfires.”

Magpies President Eddie McGuire says his club will support the state’s fire-ravaged northeast. Picture: AAP

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said his club would stand side-by-side with Gippsland and the state’s northeast.

“When our supporters fill the stands, we feed off their energy and we want to support areas that have become no-go zones for the same reason,” he said.

The idea came from Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula, who started calling business and sporting contacts after seeing the effects of the crisis while holidaying in regional Victoria.

“I’m saying to companies, do not worry about whether these towns have a conference centre, do not worry about your normal meeting facilities,” Mr Pakula said. “Have your meeting in the pub, have it in a restaurant, have it in the bakery, for goodness sake.

“The point is not the quality of the conference facilities, the point is just get yourselves out to these places and spend money.”

Called Business and Sport for Bushfire Recovery, the program is also backed by high-profile Victorians including Dave Hughes, Rachel Griffiths, Andy Lee and Nick Dal Santo.

Camping grounds and local shops were closed in Bright due to a bushfire evacuation warning in early January. Picture: Tony Gough

Janelle Boynton, from Feathertop Winery in Porepunkah, near Bright, called for a quick response from ­participants.

“We welcome the initiative and encourage those organisations to be nimble and engage immediately as the businesses in our region have lost $90 million in revenue,” she said.

Meanwhile, the federal government will today announce a bushfire recovery package for small businesses, involving grant funding, concessional loans and tax relief. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was in addition to the $76 million tourism push announced yesterday, and $50 million in cash payments already flowing to families and businesses.

The state government’s tourism and events company, Visit Victoria, will also launch special marketing programs to promote regional experiences.

But the government has rejected a call by the state Opposition to hold a week of parliamentary sittings in fire-affected areas.

Aerial view of the Great Alpine Road in and around Sarsfield. Picture: Jason Edwards

The township of Orbost under threat in early January. Picture: Jason Edwards

Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said the millions of dollars it would cost would be better used if the money was allocated to bushfire relief.

The idea came from Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula, who started calling business and sporting contacts after seeing the effects of the crisis while holidaying in regional Victoria.

“I’m saying to companies, do not worry about whether these towns have a conference centre, do not worry about your normal meeting facilities,” Mr Pakula said. “Have your meeting in the pub, have it in a restaurant, have it in the bakery, for goodness sake.

“The point is not the quality of the conference facilities, the point is just get yourselves out to these places and spend money.”

MORE NEWS:

CHINESE TOURIST MYSTERIOUSLY VANISHES IN MELBOURNE

SENIOR COP DISMISSES ‘FUSSY RECRUITS’ FOOD WOES

DAD’S HEARTACHE: ‘I JUST WANT MY LITTLE BOY BACK’

Called Business and Sport for Bushfire Recovery, the program is also backed by high-profile Victorians including Dave Hughes, Rachel Griffiths, Andy Lee and Nick Dal Santo.

FULL LIST OF PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES:

ACMI

AFL

AI Group

AIIA - Australian Information Industry Association

Alibaba

Amcor

ANCA Group

ANZ

Armaguard

Arts Centre Melbourne

Asaleo Care

AsiaLink Business

Aspen Asia P/L

Australia Post

AustralianSuper

Australian Computer Society (Vic)

Australian Grand Prix Corporation

Australian Hotels Association (Vic)

BHP

Bluescope Steel

Bombardier Transportation Australia

Boral

Bosch

Box Hill Institute

Bristol Myers Squibb Australia

Cann Group Limited

Canopy Growth

Carlton FC

CBUS

Circus Oz

Coles Group

Collingwood FC

Community Chef

Costa Group

Country Racing Victoria

Cricket Australia

Cricket Victoria

CrocMedia

Crown

CSIRO

CSL

Deakin International

Deloitte

Docklands Studios Melbourne

Energy Australia

Essendon Airport

Essendon Football Club

EY

Film Victoria

Geelong Arts Centre

Geelong FC

GFG Alliance

Gilbert + Tobin

Gordon Legal

Greyhound Racing Victoria

Harness Racing Victoria

Hawthorn Football Club

Herald and Weekly Times

John Holland

Johns Lyng Group

Kirkland Lake Gold

KPMG

KS Environmental Services

LaTrobe University

LINFOX airports

LINFOX Logistics

LUCRF Super

Marand

Maurice Blackburn

Mecrus

Melbourne Airport

Melbourne City FC

Melbourne Cricket Club

Melbourne FC

Melbourne Racing Club

Melbourne Rebels

Melbourne Storm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Melbourne Victory

Microsoft Australia (Vic)

Minter Ellison

MO Works

Mondelez

Moonee Valley Racing Club

Museums Victoria

NAB

National Basketball League

NGV

North Melbourne FC

Nous Group

PACCAR

PFD Food Services

PWC

Racing Victoria Ltd

Richmond FC

Seek

Shape Australia

St Kilda FC

State Library Victoria

State Sports Centres Trust

Sun Pharma Australia

Swinburne University

Swisse

Tabcorp

TAC

Tennis Australia

The Australian Ballet

Think HQ

Treasury Wine Estates

University of Melbourne

Victoria Racing Club

Victoria University

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Victorian Planning Authority

Victorian Trades Hall Council

Visit Victoria

Western Bulldogs FC

William Angliss TAFE

Workcover